Ammospermophilus
5 species
Antelope squirrels or antelope ground squirrels of the genus Ammospermophilus are sciurids found in the desert and dry scrub areas of south-western United States and northern Mexico. They are a type of ground squirrel and are able to resist hyperthermia and can survive body temperatures over 40 °C (104 °F).
- Espíritu Santo antelope squirrel (A. insularis) found on Isla Espíritu Santo, Mexico. Some authorities treat it as a subspecies of A. leucurus.
- Harris's antelope squirrel (A. harrisii) found in Arizona and New Mexico in the US, and Sonora in Mexico.
- San Joaquin antelope squirrel or Nelson's antelope squirrel (A. nelsoni) found in the San Joaquin Valley, California.
- Texas antelope squirrel (A. interpres) found in Texas and New Mexico in the US, and in Mexico.
- White-tailed antelope squirrel (A. leucurus) found in the southwestern United States and Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.
All are somewhat similar in appearance and behavior. They are around 14–17 cm (5.5–6.7 in) in head-and-body length with a 6–10 cm (2.4–3.9 in) tail, and weigh 110–150 g (3.9–5.3 oz). The tail is somewhat flattened. They have a single white stripe on both flanks and none on the face. They live in burrows, which they dig for themselves. They are diurnal, and do not hibernate (though they become less active during the winter), so they are fairly easily seen.
Antelope squirrels are commonly found in dry, shrubby areas of the southern United States into Mexico. These areas are sandy with rocky areas that provide soil that can be burrowed into for shelter and to escape the heat of the day. The temperatures in these regions can exceed 37.8 °C (100.0 °F) during the day and require special adaptations by the ground squirrels to survive. During the night, temperatures in these desert and dry areas may dip below freezing which again requires adaptations to survive. There is very limited free-standing water supply. These regions can experience long bouts of drought. A. harrisii does not require surface water within its range but will drink on occasion from basins and bird-baths.
Antelope squirrels or antelope ground squirrels of the genus Ammospermophilus are sciurids found in the desert and dry scrub areas of south-western United States and northern Mexico. They are a type of ground squirrel and are able to resist hyperthermia and can survive body temperatures over 40 °C (104 °F).
- Espíritu Santo antelope squirrel (A. insularis) found on Isla Espíritu Santo, Mexico. Some authorities treat it as a subspecies of A. leucurus.
- Harris's antelope squirrel (A. harrisii) found in Arizona and New Mexico in the US, and Sonora in Mexico.
- San Joaquin antelope squirrel or Nelson's antelope squirrel (A. nelsoni) found in the San Joaquin Valley, California.
- Texas antelope squirrel (A. interpres) found in Texas and New Mexico in the US, and in Mexico.
- White-tailed antelope squirrel (A. leucurus) found in the southwestern United States and Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.
All are somewhat similar in appearance and behavior. They are around 14–17 cm (5.5–6.7 in) in head-and-body length with a 6–10 cm (2.4–3.9 in) tail, and weigh 110–150 g (3.9–5.3 oz). The tail is somewhat flattened. They have a single white stripe on both flanks and none on the face. They live in burrows, which they dig for themselves. They are diurnal, and do not hibernate (though they become less active during the winter), so they are fairly easily seen.
Antelope squirrels are commonly found in dry, shrubby areas of the southern United States into Mexico. These areas are sandy with rocky areas that provide soil that can be burrowed into for shelter and to escape the heat of the day. The temperatures in these regions can exceed 37.8 °C (100.0 °F) during the day and require special adaptations by the ground squirrels to survive. During the night, temperatures in these desert and dry areas may dip below freezing which again requires adaptations to survive. There is very limited free-standing water supply. These regions can experience long bouts of drought. A. harrisii does not require surface water within its range but will drink on occasion from basins and bird-baths.
